CN116323300A

CN116323300A - Temperature detection device for plug-in connector component

Info

Publication number: CN116323300A
Application number: CN202180068154.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 拉尔夫·费尔德纳; 塞德里克·德佩
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact eMobility GmbH
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact eMobility GmbH
Priority date: 2020-10-07
Filing date: 2021-09-27
Publication date: 2023-06-23
Also published as: US20230396027A1; WO2022073782A1; BE1028678A1; BE1028678B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature detection device (1) for a plug-in connector part (2, 3), comprising a snap-on element (10) for mounting on a contact element (20) of the plug-in connector part (2, 3) and at least one temperature sensor (11). Wherein the snap element (10) is formed from metal, wherein the at least one temperature sensor (11) is fastened to the snap element (10) by means of a sensor mount (13). Thus, a temperature detecting device with a particularly simple structure is provided.

Description

Temperature detection device for plug-in connector component

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a temperature detection device for a plug-in connector part according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method of manufacturing such a temperature detection device.

Such a temperature detection device comprises a snap-on element for mounting on a contact element of a plug-in connector part and at least one temperature sensor.

Background

WO 2018/197247 A1 describes such a temperature detection device comprising a snap-on element with a temperature sensor. Such a snap-on element enables a press-fit and direct contact with the contact element, thereby enabling an efficient heat transfer from the contact element of the plug-in connector part to the temperature sensor. The temperature detecting device has a relatively complex structure.

It is likewise possible to use a temperature detection device which is mounted axially (relative to the plug-in shaft of the contact element) and preloaded with a spring, wherein a strong dependence on tolerances in the production of the components may lead to a more complex design.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a temperature detection device with a particularly simple structure.

The solution according to the invention for achieving the above object is the subject matter having the features of claim 1.

In this regard, the latching element is formed from metal, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is fastened to the latching element by means of a sensor mount.

Since the snap element is formed entirely of metal, it has a particularly simple structure and is easy to manufacture, for example in a simple stamping process. Furthermore, a particularly efficient heat transfer is achieved. The snap element is formed, for example, from aluminum, copper or steel. The at least one temperature sensor is mounted on the snap element, precisely by means of a sensor holder. The temperature sensor or sensors may be embodied, for example, in the form of temperature-sensitive resistors. Such a temperature sensor may be, for example, a resistor having a positive temperature coefficient (so-called PTC resistor) whose resistance increases with an increase in temperature (also called a positive temperature coefficient thermistor, which has good electrical conductivity at low temperatures and decreases at higher temperatures). Such temperature sensors can also have a non-linear temperature characteristic, for example, and can be made of ceramic materials (so-called ceramic ptc thermistors), for example. However, it is also possible to use, for example, a resistor having a negative temperature coefficient (so-called NTC resistor) as a temperature sensor, the resistance of which decreases with an increase in temperature. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature sensor built up from semiconductor devices may also be used.

In particular, the snap element may be integrally formed, in particular also from a single material. In this way a particularly simple and precise manufacture is achieved.

The catch element is formed, for example, from a piece of sheet metal. This allows for the simultaneous manufacture of multiple clip elements in a single stamping process. Furthermore, such a snap element occupies only a small installation space.

In one embodiment, the catch element has two catch arms. An accommodating opening can be formed between the buckling arms. Optionally, the receiving opening has an edge region extending along an arc of a circle. In this way, a particularly simple structure is achieved and a simple but reliable mounting on the contact element is possible.

According to a further development, each of the snap arms has a snap edge formed thereon. Optionally, the spacing between the snap edges is less than the diameter of the circular arc. This enables the snap element to be snapped onto the contact element in a form-fitting manner in a simple manner and to be held securely thereon.

The at least one temperature sensor may be embedded in the material of the sensor holder. For example, the temperature sensor is completely enclosed in the material of the sensor holder, wherein only the connecting wires protrude outwards. In this way, the temperature sensor can be fastened particularly reliably.

The sensor holder is formed, for example, from an electrically insulating material. Thus, even in the case of a snap element in contact with an electrically conductive contact element, no further insulation of the temperature sensor is necessary.

The sensor holder can be formed from a plastic, in particular an electrically insulating plastic, which further simplifies the production.

In one embodiment, the sensor holder has two abutment sections, between which the head section (usually one section) of the catch element is arranged. The sensor holder e.g. loops around the head section. In this way a particularly secure installation is achieved.

According to one refinement, the head section of the snap element is provided with at least one opening. Optionally, a through-penetration (Durchgriff) of the sensor carrier connecting the two abutment sections together is arranged in the opening (or in the openings, respectively). The through-penetration (or the through-penetrations) will abut against the segments to be interconnected, for example in a single material. This enables a particularly reliable and secure retention of the temperature sensor element on the snap element.

According to one aspect, a plug connector part is provided having at least one electrical contact element for establishing electrical contact with a corresponding counter contact element. Wherein the plug connector part comprises at least one temperature detection device according to any one of the aspects described herein. The plug connector part may in particular comprise a plurality of contact elements and/or a plurality of temperature detection means.

The plug connector component may be a plug or a socket. Such a plug-in connector part can be used in particular in a charging device for transmitting a charging current. The plug-in connector part can be embodied in particular as a charging plug or a charging socket for charging an electric motor vehicle (also referred to as an electric vehicle), and can be used, for example, on the charging station side as a charging plug on a charging cable or on the vehicle side as a so-called charging interface (Inlet). Charging plugs or charging sockets for charging electric vehicles are often designed in such a way that they are capable of transmitting a large charging current. Since heat losses increase quadratic with the charging current and it is also provided that the temperature rise on the plug-in connector part is not allowed to exceed a certain temperature, it is often necessary to provide temperature monitoring on such charging plugs or charging sockets for timely identifying overheating of the devices of the charging plug or charging socket and, as the case may be, causing a modification of the charging current or even a disconnection of the charging device. The proposed plug-in connector part with temperature detection means enables such temperature monitoring and the reaction time is extremely short, since the snap-in element is formed of metal and not only is provided with a relatively thin heat conductor. Furthermore, for the reasons described above, the plug connector part is simple in structure and easy to manufacture.

The contact element (or each of the plurality of contact elements) may have a groove, in particular an annular groove. The snap element of the temperature detecting device may snap onto the groove and snap onto the groove in the assembled state. This allows an efficient and direct (planar) contact between the two components, which is also reliably maintained while being particularly simple to install.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a temperature detection device according to any one of the aspects described herein. In the method, the at least one temperature sensor is fastened to a snap-in element formed from metal by means of the sensor holder.

Advantages and feasibility of the solution of the method are described above with reference to the description of the temperature detection device and the plug-in connector part.

The sensor holder is injected onto the snap-on element, for example by means of injection molding, so that the temperature detection device can be manufactured particularly simply and quickly. Wherein the at least one temperature sensor is injection molded with a material that later forms the sensor holder. Thus, the temperature sensor can be well protected. During manufacture, the snap element is provided with a snap profile.

Drawings

The basic idea of the invention is explained in detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. The figure is shown in schematic form:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a temperature sensing device and a contact element of a male connector component;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the temperature sensing device of FIG. 1 in a state of being snapped onto the contact element;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the temperature sensing device and the contact device along the mating axis of the contact device in the state shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the temperature sensing device and the contact device in the state shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views and partial detail views of the cross-sectional plane A-A shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is the temperature sensing device of FIG. 1, showing the location of the temperature sensor;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the components and contact elements of the temperature sensing device of FIG. 1; and

fig. 8 is an electric vehicle with a charging cable and a charging station for charging.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a temperature detection device 1 for a plug-in connector part, for example for plug-in

connector parts

2,3 shown in fig. 8. The temperature detection device 1 can likewise be mounted on the contact element 20 shown in fig. 1 of the plug-in

connector parts

2, 3. The contact element 20 is a contact plug which can be plugged into a corresponding contact socket in an electrically contacting manner, wherein the contact element 20 can alternatively also be embodied as a contact socket which can be plugged into a corresponding contact plug in an electrically contacting manner.

The temperature detection device 1 comprises a snap element 10, a temperature sensor 11 (not visible in fig. 1, but shown in fig. 5A to 7) and a temperature sensor 13 connectable to an evaluation unit by a connection line 12. In the embodiment described here, the temperature detection device 1 comprises exactly one temperature sensor 13, wherein solutions with more than one such temperature sensor 13 are also possible.

The catch element 10 is formed from a piece of metal, in this case a stamping made from sheet metal. Thus, the catch element 10 is referred to as a metal piece. The catch element 10 comprises a head section 100 from which two catch

arms

101A,101B extend. A receiving opening 102 is formed between the

latch arms

101A and 101B. The receiving opening 102 has an inner surface extending along an arc. Each of the

snap arms

101A,101B has an open end. Each of the

snap arms

101A,101B has a snap edge 104 constructed thereon near the open end. The snap edges 104 face each other. Snap edge 104 refers to a constriction after which receiving opening 102 widens. Each of the snap edges 104 is also constructed with a lead-in chamfer 103. The lead-in chamfer 103 makes it easier to lead the contact element 20 into the receiving opening 102, wherein the

snap arms

101A,101B are elastically (outwardly) pressed.

The receiving opening 102 is formed with the outer contour of the contact element 20, i.e. in this case, in accordance with the contour formed in the annular groove 200. The contact element 20 has an outer diameter in the groove 200 which corresponds to the inner diameter of the circular arc of the receiving opening 102 or is slightly larger than this inner diameter for a press fit. The temperature detection device 1 can thus be snapped onto, clamped onto, the contact element, i.e. in the groove 200.

Fig. 2 shows a state in which the temperature detecting device 1 is mounted on the contact member 20.

The contact element 20 comprises a contact section 201 for electrical contact with a corresponding counter-contact element, and a socket 202 (on one axial end) for connection of an electrical wire. When a contact element 20 is used, a current is conducted through the contact element, for example for an electric vehicle, for example for the charging current of the vehicle 6 shown in fig. 8. Wherein the contact element 20 may be heated. The temperature detection device 1 is adapted to monitor the temperature of the contact element 20. The snap element 10 is formed from a solid metal, such as aluminum or copper, and thus conducts heat particularly efficiently. Furthermore, the snap element is in the mounted state accommodated in the groove and is in planar (large-area) abutment with the contact element 20. Thus, the response time at the time of temperature monitoring is extremely short.

Fig. 3 shows a view along the axis of insertion of the contact element 20, i.e. the axis along which the contact element 20 can be inserted for electrical connection with a counter-contact element. As shown, the latching element 10 can be snapped onto the contact element 20 perpendicularly to the plug axis in the installation direction. The connection line 12 of the temperature sensor 13 extends from the sensor holder in a direction perpendicular to the plug axis and also perpendicular to the mounting direction.

Furthermore, it can be seen in particular from fig. 3 that the sensor carrier 13 in the installed state shown in fig. 3 directly adjoins the surface of the contact element 20. The sensor holder 13 here comprises a surface (and follows a section of the surface of the contact element 20) that extends along an arc of a circle.

Fig. 5A shows a cross section along the cross-sectional plane A-A shown in fig. 4, and fig. 5B shows an enlarged view of a portion shown in fig. 5A.

As can be seen in particular from fig. 5A and 5B, the temperature sensor 11 is embedded in the material of the sensor holder 13. In this case, each side of the temperature sensor 11 is surrounded by the material of the sensor carrier 13. The connection wire 12 electrically connects the temperature sensor 11 inside the sensor holder. The connection line 12 extends from the sensor holder 13. The material of the sensor carrier 13 is an electrically insulating plastic, in particular an injection-moldable plastic. For example, for producing the temperature detection device 1, the temperature sensor 11 provided with the connecting lines 12 and the snap element 10 are placed in an injection mold, and then injection is performed with an injection molding material, which then forms the sensor holder 13. As shown in particular in fig. 5B, the material region of the sensor holder extends between the temperature sensor 11 and the catch element 10.

The material of the sensor holder 13 insulates the temperature sensor 11 (and the connection lines 12) from the snap element 10 and thus from the contact element 20. The catch element 10 and the contact element 20 are in contact with each other in the mounted state, whereby they are in electrical contact.

As shown in particular in fig. 5A, 5B and 6, the temperature sensor 11 is arranged next to the snap element 10, which can be achieved in particular by the insulation of the sensor holder 13. Only one thinner layer of material of the sensor holder 13 is arranged between the snap element 10 and the temperature sensor 11. This enables particularly fast response characteristics to be achieved.

The connecting lines 12 are likewise (respectively) provided with an electrically insulating layer and are stripped only in the region of the connection to the temperature sensor 11, i.e. in the interior of the sensor carrier 13. In this way, the temperature sensor 11 can be encapsulated so as to be electrically insulated from the potential of the contact element 20 in a particularly reliable manner, whereby the temperature sensor 11 is arranged particularly close to the snap element 10.

It can also be seen from fig. 5A and 5B that the catch element 10 comprises a plurality, here two openings 105, which are penetrated by the material of the sensor carrier 13. Here, the sensor holder 13 forms one through-penetration 132 for each of the openings 105. Each of the through-openings 132 connects together two abutment sections 133 of the sensor carrier 13, in particular as can be seen in fig. 7, to be precise here in a single material. A gap is established between the abutment sections 133, in which a portion of the head section 100 of the catch element 10 is accommodated. This enables a particularly reliable and secure holding of the sensor element 13 on the catch element 10.

If the sensor holder 13 is injected into the catch element 10 as in the present example, injection molding material is injected through the opening 105 during the injection molding process. Alternatively, if the sensor holder 13 is prefabricated and then connected to the fastening element 10, the through-opening 132 can alternatively be embodied in the form of a lockable pin with an open end, so that the sensor holder 13 can be simply and reliably plugged onto the fastening element 10.

Fig. 8 shows a vehicle 6 in the form of a motor-driven vehicle (also referred to as an electric vehicle). The vehicle 6 has a rechargeable battery for powering the motor to move the vehicle 6.

In order to charge the battery of the vehicle 6, the vehicle 6 may be connected to the charging station 5 through the charging cable 4. For this purpose, the charging cable 4 can be plugged into the corresponding plug-in connector part 3, which serves as a counter-plug-in connector part, in the form of a charging socket of the vehicle 6 by means of the plug-in connector part 2 embodied as a charging plug, and can be electrically connected at the other end to the corresponding plug-in connector part 3, which serves as a counter-plug-in connector part, in the form of a charging socket on the charging station 5, by means of the other plug-in connector part 2 embodied as a charging plug.

The charging current having a relatively large current intensity is transmitted to the vehicle 6 through the charging cable 4.

The plug connector part 2 comprises a plurality of contact elements 20 and temperature detecting means 1 shown in fig. 1, respectively.

Description of the reference numerals

1. Temperature detecting device

10. Buckle element

100. Head section

101A and 101B buckle arm

102. Containing opening

103. Lead-in inclined plane

104. Buckle edge

105. An opening

11. Temperature sensor

12. Connecting wire

13. Sensor support

130. Matrix body

131. Socket

132. Penetration part

133. Abutment section

2, 3-plug connector component

20. Contact element

200. Groove(s)

201. Contact section

202. Socket

4. Charging cable

5. Charging station

6. Vehicle with a vehicle body having a vehicle body support

Claims

1. Temperature detection device (1) for a plug-in connector part (2, 3), comprising a snap-on element (10) for mounting on a contact element (20) of the plug-in connector part (2, 3) and at least one temperature sensor (11), characterized in that the snap-on element (10) is formed from metal, wherein the at least one temperature sensor (11) is fastened to the snap-on element (10) by means of a sensor holder (13).

2. Temperature detection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap element (10) is integrally formed from a single material.

3. Temperature detection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the snap element (10) is formed from one piece of sheet metal.

4. The temperature detection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the snap element (10) has two snap arms (101 a,101 b) forming a pocket (102) therebetween, wherein the pocket (102) has an edge region extending along an arc of a circle.

5. The temperature detection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the snap arms (101 a,101 b) is built with one snap edge (104), wherein the spacing between the snap edges (104) is smaller than the diameter of the circular arc.

6. The temperature detection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one temperature sensor (11) is embedded in the material of the sensor holder (13).

7. The temperature detection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor holder (13) is formed of an electrically insulating material.

8. The temperature detection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor holder (13) is formed of plastic.

9. The temperature detection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor holder (13) has two abutment sections (133) between which the head section (100) of the snap element (10) is arranged.

10. Temperature detection device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one opening (105) is embodied on the head section (100) of the snap element (10), in which opening a through-penetration (132) of the sensor holder (13) connecting the two abutment sections (133) together is arranged.

11. Plug-in connector part (2, 3) with an electrical contact element (20) for establishing an electrical contact, characterized by a temperature detection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

12. Plug-in connector part (2, 3) according to claim 11, characterized in that the contact element (20) has an annular groove (200) on which the snap-on element (10) of the temperature detection device (1) snaps.

13. Method of manufacturing a temperature detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one temperature sensor (11) is fastened to the snap element (10) by means of the sensor holder (13).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the sensor holder (13) is injected onto the snap element (10) by means of injection molding, wherein the at least one temperature sensor (11) is injection molded.